It's not rocket science. We all know that the key to sustainable weight loss is regular exercise and a balanced diet. And if you commit to a healthy, balanced lifestyle in the run-up to your wedding, it will pay dividends not just for your waistline, but also for your skin, mood and energy levels, as well as your ability to handle pre-wedding stress and general sense of well-being.
However, despite the hours sweated away in the gym and the steely-willed refusals of glasses of wine and gooey slices of cake - for many of us, those stubborn pockets of fat remain, clinging to thighs and wobbling from underarms in smug defiance. It's little wonder that a colossal wave of treatments have poured onto the market that claim to vibrate, release or laser off those steadfast areas of fat that seem to be resistant to diet and exercise.
THE SCULPTING SENSATION
A new wonder treatment to hit the scene in Cornwall, LPG Endermology Lipomassage is designed to release such fat deposits - and the results are proving remarkable. As well as decreasing the volume of fat, the treatment has resculpting benefits, while firming, toning and smoothing the skin and reducing cellulite.
A 100% natural fat release technique, the LPG machine rolls mechanical stimulation, which triggers deep biological responses. "We can stimulate the receptor that is in charge of fat reduction. We know as therapists that this receptor is dormant so we wake it up. This slimming technique reactivates the fat release to erase localised fat and imperfections," comments Abi of Aqua (aquaskincare.co.uk).
Beyond sculpting your body into the svelte silhouette you dream of for your wedding dress, the treatment's attack on cellulite will help boost your body confidence for a bikini-clad honeymoon. "Cellulite is overloaded fat cells pushing on connective tissue, causing bulging, overstretching the skin and dimpling. The LPG treatment exercises the connective tissue, giving it flexibility and it lets go of the skin, leaving a smooth effect," says Abi. "Lipomassage can wake up fibroblasts to stimulate collagen and elastin, which will firm and tone the skin".
Sold? Well the sooner you commence the LPG treatment the better. As bridal boutiques will testify, you should be close to your ideal shape before you get measured for your dress - you don't want to have too many alterations. "I would recommend starting the LPG treatment roughly 12 months before the wedding. This will give you enough opportunity to choose the correct programme and enough time for your body to respond to the treatment, as everyone's bodies respond at different rates," says Abi.
Top results from LPG comes hand in hand with a dedicated approach to a healthy lifestyle. "You have to be committed to eating healthy and exercising for 30 minutes a day (so that when you exercise your muscles will use your fat as energy and pass it out) to see results," advises Abi. Don't wince at the thought of a draconian dietary regime; the specifics will depend on how much weight loss you are aiming for, but simply cutting down your salt and saturated fat intake, drinking plenty of water and banning fizzy drinks will maximise the results. Like everything, a balanced approach is key.
LIPOMASSAGE LOVE
Karina, a recent recipient of LPG at Aqua, shares her experience...
I was very excited about having this treatment. Having previously considered liposuction surgery, this was an easier step to getting the figure I wanted. I was a bit apprehensive that it would work but, after sessions six and eight, I could see a significant difference in the way my skin looked and felt. My cellulite had reduced a lot and my skin was more luminous. As time went on, I got used to the sensation of the machine sucking, pulling and twisting my skin and towards the end I quite enjoyed the sensation and found it relaxing.
I was amazed when I was measured after the tenth session - the volume on my thighs, hips and waist had gone down a considerable amount. I was so pleased with the results, I continued my treatments for another ten sessions and the results just kept on improving. I stuck to a healthy diet whilst on this treatment and fitted in as much exercise as I could. I now feel amazing and have lost one stone in weight in two months.
Before After
THE BOUTIQUE BOOT CAMP
The pre-wedding period is a golden opportunity to re-evaluate your lifestyle. The mere thought of the countdown to that hugely important day - when you'll face so many admiring eyes and camera lenses - is incredibly motivational, and a growing number of brides are using this period to discover a leaner, fitter, re-energised version of themselves. A boot camp is a brilliant place to start. Having shed its rather scary image, the boot camp has emerged as a nourishing and revitalising experience for body and soul, which is as popular as it is effective. Here are our top boot camp tips...
The bridal boot camp by the sea...
A stone's throw from the sands of Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, St. Michael's Hotel and Spa is a chic and luxurious seaside sanctuary - an inspiring spot to indulge in a lifestyle overhaul. The hotel has launched a wedding fitness and nutrition programme specially designed for brides-to-be. Tailored to the individual needs of each bride, the 12-week bridal boot camp programme involves an intensive series of one-to-one coaching sessions.
"The idea is that the programme is entirely based on the goals and eating habits of the individual. We're not looking to do a sudden overhaul. The commitment is to gradual change complemented with the right amount of varied exercise," says personal trainer Ben Harris, who devised the programme. "It's my job to maximise results based on a client's individual profile, meeting a mix of long-term goals and short-term goals along the way."
The programme includes an induction, fortnightly training sessions and dietary advice. It is supported by further analysis including body fat to muscle ratio, blood pressure checks, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat measurements with callipers and lung capacity checks. The bridal boot camp is priced from �210 per person for 12 weeks.
www.stmichaelshotel.co.uk/bootcamp
The fitness fast track in the country...
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Hertfordshire, Champneys Tring offers an intensive boot camp experience alongside the luxe trimmings of a top hotel. Available on a four or seven day basis, the fitness programme is designed to help participants shed some pounds, get fit and kick-start a positive lifestyle.
The boot camp involves four-six exercise sessions a day and calorie-controlled meals. Alcohol, caffeine and dairy are banned, while herbal teas and healthy, slow-release energy meals are the order of the day.
The programme sees participants partaking in bite-size chunks of different types of exercise; stretching and aerobic pursuits are alternated with team games and daily hikes around the surrounding countryside. With a diverse programme ranging from Zumba and Spinning to Pilates and T'ai Chi, it comprises a great opportunity to sample new exercises. And, at the end of each day, there's a Thalassotherapy session or massage to look forward to.
www.champneys.com
words Rebecca Matthews
Copyright WED Magazine 2013
.jpg)